Valve with an enhanced leakage prevention configuration

Abstract

A valve (100) comprising a seal retaining member (108); a valve housing (102) interfacing with the seal retaining member; a seal (120) interposed between the valve housing and the seal retaining member; and a lock member (118) having a lip (119) that extends over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

Description

Valve with an Enhanced Leakage Prevention ConfigurationCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 650,438, filed on May 22, 2024, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in this description.BACKGROUND

[0002] The heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry is moving toward using environment-friendly refrigerants. For example, new refrigerants having lower global warming potential are being used. However, such refrigerants may have other undesirable characteristics. As an example, A2L refrigerants may be used, where “A” indicates non-toxicity, “2” indicates low / mild flammability, and “L” indicates low burning velocity. Although A2L refrigerants have low global warming potential, they have flammability characteristics, which is problematic if leakages occur. In fact, leakage of any refrigerant is undesirable.

[0003] Refrigeration systems using refrigerants typically have a solenoid valve that is used as a safety shut-off valve. Conventional solenoid valves used in refrigeration systems typically have a lock nut that is threaded to tighten a tube against a valve housing. A gasket or O-ring may be placed between the tube and the valve housing such that as the lock nut is threaded, sealing may be achieved.

[0004] The application of a solenoid valve as a safety shut-off valve for refrigerants demands leak tightness over the life of the valve and at elevated temperatures to be UL429 compliant. AchievingUL429 compliance using threaded lock nut sealing against a gasket under specified or increased torque can be challenging.

[0005] Particularly, due to thermal aging (thermal cycles during the life of the valve), the threaded connection might not be sufficient to prevent leakage. Further, threaded connections typically require a particular torque to be applied to achieve a sealed connection. Incorrect torque application could cause leakage to occur.

[0006] In some examples, epoxy can be applied to the lock nut, and then the epoxy is cured to prevent torque relaxation. In other examples, Loctite® or Nylock® patch may be applied to the threads of the lock nut to prevent lock nut torque relaxation. These processes, however, are tedious and add manufacturing steps. Further, in some cases, the lock nut may be accidently unthreaded during installation and use, which is a safety issue due to refrigerant leaks.

[0007] As such, it may be desirable to configure solenoid valves used in refrigeration applications with enhanced safety features that are more effective at preventing leakage and address the issues above. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure describes implementations that relate to a safety shut-off valve with an enhanced leakage prevention configuration for mildly flammable refrigerants.

[0009] In a first example implementation, the present disclosure describes a valve. The valve includes: a seal retaining member; a valve housing interfacing with the seal retaining member; a seal interposed between the valve housing and the seal retaining member; and a lock member having a lip that extends over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

[0010] In a second example implementation, the present disclosure also describes a refrigeration system including the valve of the first example implementation.

[0011] In a third example implementation, the present disclosure also describes a method of assembling the valve of the first example implementation.

[0012] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, implementations, and features described above, further aspects, implementations, and features will become apparent by reference to the figures and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative examples are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative examples, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative example of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.

[0014] Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a valve.

[0015] Figure IB illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 1A.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a valve, according to an example implementation.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of another valve, according to an example implementation.

[0018] Figure 5 is a flowchart of method for assembling a valve, according to an example implementation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Within examples, disclosed herein is a valve having a lock member that may be thermally joined with a housing of the valve. In an example, the lock member has a lip that extends over a seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member and form an effective sealing connection. In one example, the lock member has an angled lip feature that is coined over or orbit-formed over the seal retaining member.

[0020] In an example, the valve housing itself operates as the lock member having the angle lip that can be coined or orbit-formed over the seal retaining member. Sealing in both examples can be achieved using a face seal, radial seal, or triangular groove O-ring.

[0021] Figure 1A illustrates a perspective view of a valve 10. The valve 10 is used in a refrigeration system. Particularly, the valve 10 may be configured to control refrigerant flow through the system, from a source of refrigerant or a first part of the system to a reservoir or another part of the system, for example.

[0022] The valve 10 has a solenoid actuator 12 that has a solenoid coil 14. When the solenoid coil 14 is energized, it actuates an armature (not shown in Figure 1) that is movable within a valve housing 16 of the valve 10. As a result, the valve 10 can control refrigerant flow between a first fluid line 18 (e.g., a pipe or tube coupled to the source of refrigerant) and a second fluid line 20 (e g., coupled to a reservoir or other part / component of the system).

[0023] The fluid lines 18, 20 are coupled to the valve housing 16 as shown. The valve 10 further includes a lock nut 22 that is threaded to the valve housing 16 to form a sealing connection.

[0024] Figure IB illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the valve 10, according to an example implementation. The solenoid actuator 12 includes a tube assembly 23 having a solenoid tube 24and a seal retaining member 25. The solenoid tube 24 and the seal retaining member 25 can be made as a unitary or single component.

[0025] The solenoid actuator 12 also has an armature 26 that is slidably accommodated (e.g., linearly movable) within the tube assembly 23. The armature 26 can be coupled to a poppet or stem 28. In the closed state or position (e.g., when the solenoid coil 14 is un-energized) shown in Figure IB, the stem 28 is seated at a stem seat member 30 to block a channel 32 formed in the stem seat member 30, thereby blocking refrigerant flow from the first fluid line 18 to the second fluid line 20.

[0026] The valve 10 further includes a piston 34 having cross-holes 36 (slanted cross-holes) formed therein. The stem seat member 30 may be coupled to the piston 34. A chamber 37 is formed above the piston 34 within the valve housing 16.

[0027] When the solenoid coil 14 is un-energized and the valve 10 is closed, the piston 34 and the stem seat member 30 are seated at a seat 38 formed by the valve housing 16, thus blocking fluid flow from the first fluid line 18 to the second fluid line 20. Fluid from the first fluid line 18 is communicated to the chamber 37 through the cross-holes 36 in the piston 34.

[0028] In this state, the piston 34 is subjected to pressure of fluid from the first fluid line 18 on both the top side (in the chamber 37), which is in contact with the stem 28, and the bottom side, which is in contact with the seat 38. The pressure is thus equalized on both the top and bottom sides of the piston 34 through the cross-holes 36. However, the area on the top side of the piston 34 is larger than the area on the bottom side, and thus the force acting on the top of the piston 34 is larger than the force acting on the bottom of the piston 34, and therefore the piston 34 pushed downward toward, and remains seated at, the seat 38.

[0029] When the solenoid coil 14 is energized, the armature 26 may be pulled upward, causing the stem 28 to be unseated off the stem seat member 30. This causes the pressure in the chamber 37 above the piston 34 to equal the pressure of fluid at the second fluid line 20 quicker than pressure of fluid from the first fluid line 18 can flow through the cross-holes 36 (which are small and restrictive). The resulting pressure imbalance on the piston 34 causes a net force differential to be applied on the piston 34, causing the piston 34 to move upward toward the armature 26. In other words, the piston 34 follows the stem 28 upward, thereby opening a flow path and allowing increased flow from the first fluid line 18 to the second fluid line 20.

[0030] The lock nut 22 is threaded into the valve housing 16 via threads 39 to tighten the seal retaining member 25 of the tube assembly 23 against the valve housing 16. A gasket 40 is interposed between the seal retaining member 25 and the valve housing 16 such that as the lock nut 22 is tightened, the seal retaining member 25 is pressed against the gasket 40, forming a sealing connection to prevent leakage from the valve 10 to an external environment, which is undesirable because of the loss of refrigerant charge, and may also be a safety issue when flammable or hazardous refrigerants are used. Thus, the threaded connection and tightness of the lock nut 22 against the valve housing 16 determines the effectiveness of the sealing.

[0031] The threaded connection may require a particular torque to be applied to achieve a proper sealing connection. Incorrect torque application could cause leakage to occur. Also, due to thermal aging (thermal cycles during the life of the valve 10), the threaded connection may become less effective, and leakage may occur. As such, achieving a high level of leak tightness at elevated temperatures via a threaded connection can be challenging.

[0032] Figure 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a valve 100, according to an example implementation. Similar to the valve 10, the valve 100 has a valve housing 102, a tube assembly104 having a tube 106 and a seal retaining member 108, an armature 110, a stem 112, a stem seat member 114, a channel 116, and a piston 117. The seal retaining member 108 is ring-shaped and surrounds the armature 110, as shown.

[0033] The valve housing 102 defines or includes a first port 103 to which the first fluid line 18 is coupled. The valve housing 102 also defines or includes a second port 105 to which the second fluid line 20 is coupled. This way, the valve 100 can control refrigerant flow from a source 107 of refrigerant to another portion of the refrigeration system, downstream of the second port 105.

[0034] The valve 100 also includes a lock member 118. The lock member 118, however, differs from the lock nut 22 in that the lock member 118 is not threaded into the valve housing 102. Rather, the lock member 118 can be brazed onto the valve housing 102.

[0035] In an example, brazing the lock member 118 may involve using a filler metal to join the lock member 118 to the valve housing 102. The filler metal may be heated to a fluid temperature and evenly distributed at the interface between the lock member 118 and the valve housing 102. The filler metal may have a lower melting point than the materials of the lock member 118 and the valve housing 102 such that the filler metal melts while the lock member 118 and the valve housing 102 do not. In an example, the filler metal flows into the joint or interface between the lock member 118 and the valve housing 102 using capillary action, bonding with the base metals, which do not melt, but rather keep their shape and mechanical properties.

[0036] Further, the lock member 118 can have a lip 119. The lock member 118 can be mounted around the seal retaining member 108 and brazed to the valve housing 102 such that the lip 119 extends over (e.g., is formed over) the seal retaining member 108 as shown in Figure 2. This way, the lock member 118 retains the seal retaining member 108 to the valve housing 102 as shown in Figure 2.

[0037] A face seal 120 (e.g., an O-ring) can be disposed in a groove formed in the lock member 118, the valve housing 102, or both at the interface therebetween. Brazing the lock member 118 to the valve housing 102 and extending the lip 119 over the seal retaining member 108 retain the seal retaining member 108, thus forming an effective seal by the face seal 120.

[0038] The configuration of the valve 100 is advantageous over the valve 10. No threads, torquing, or epoxy / Loctite® material is used. Thus, the disadvantages associated with a threaded connection may be avoided.

[0039] In other example implementations, rather than using a lock member as a separate component, the valve housing can be adapted to operate as the lock member.

[0040] Figure 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a valve 200, according to an example implementation. The components used in both the valve 100 and the valve 200 are designated with the same reference numbers.

[0041] Notably, the valve 200 does not include a locking member like the lock member 118 of the valve 100. Rather, the valve 200 has a valve housing 202 that itself operates as the lock member. Particularly, the valve housing 202 has an angled lip 204 (e.g., upper rim) that is coined or orbit- formed over the seal retaining member 108.

[0042] A coining process may involve applying pressure to the angled lip 204 to create a smooth surface finish. Particularly, coining is a type of closed die forging that uses high stress to deform the metal of the angled lip 204 so it conforms to the seal retaining member 108.

[0043] Rolling or orbit forming is an alternative process that can be used. Orbit forming is a coldforming process that uses a peen tool held at a fixed angle to create a sweeping line of pressurearound the angled lip 204 of the valve housing 202. With each rotation, the angled lip 204 is progressively collapsed down onto the seal retaining member 108.

[0044] The valve housing 202 is depicted in Figure 3 in a partially finished state. Particularly, in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, a first side 206 of the valve housing 202 is shown in the coined or orbit-formed state, while a second side 208 is shown prior to coining or orbit forming. Once the entirety of the angled lip 204 of the valve housing 202 is coined or orbit-formed over the seal retaining member 108, an effective seal is formed via the face seal 120.

[0045] Although a face seal is used in Figures 2-3, other types of seals (e.g., a washer, a radial seal, an O-ring in a triangular groove, etc.) can be used.

[0046] In examples, a combination of threads and coining / orbiting of the lip can be used.

[0047] Figure 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a valve 300, according to an example implementation. Components that are common between the valves 100, 200, 300 are designated with the same reference numbers.

[0048] The valve 300 has a valve housing 302 having external threads. Similar to the valve 100, the valve 300 has a lock member 304 that is separate from the valve housing 302. The lock member 304 has internal threads that engage with the external threads of the valve housing 302 at threaded region 306.

[0049] Further, the lock member 304 has a lip 308 (e.g., upper rim) that can be similar to the angled lip 204 described above. The valve housing 202 is depicted in Figure 4 in a partially finished state. Particularly, in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4, a first side 310 of the lock member 304 is shown in the coined or orbit-formed state, while a second side 312 is shown prior to coining or orbit forming.

[0050] Thus, the valve 300 includes both (i) the lip 308 that is coined or orbit formed to couple and retain the lock member 304 to the seal retaining member 108, and (ii) a threaded connection at the threaded region 306 between the valve housing 302 and the lock member 304. For example, the lock member 304 can first be threaded to the valve housing 302, and then the lip 308 is coined or orbit-formed over the seal retaining member 108, thereby forming an enhanced, effective sealed connection.

[0051] Figure 5 is a flowchart of method 400 for assembling a valve, according to an example implementation. For example, the method 400 can be used to assemble the valve 100 or the valve 200.

[0052] The method 400 may include one or more operations, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 402-408. Although the blocks are illustrated in a sequential order, these blocks may in some instances be performed in parallel, and / or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and / or removed based upon the desired implementation.

[0053] At block 402, the method 400 includes mounting the seal retaining member 108 of the valve 100, 200, 300 to the valve housing 102, 202, 302 of the valve 100, 200, 300.

[0054] At block 404, the method 400 includes mounting the face seal 120 between the valve housing 102, 202, 302 and the seal retaining member 108.

[0055] At block 406, the method 400 includes providing the lock member 118, 304 (or the valve housing 202 itself) having the lip 119, 204, 308 around the seal retaining member 108. The term “providing” as used herein, and for example with regard to any component such as the lock member 118, 304 includes any action to make the component available for use, such as bringingthe component to an apparatus or to a work environment for further processing (e.g., mounting it to other components or mounting other components to it).

[0056] At block 408, the method 400 includes extending the lip 1 19, 204, 308 over the seal retaining member 108 to retain the seal retaining member 108 to the valve housing 102, 202, 302.

[0057] The method 400 can further include any of the steps or operations described above. For example, the valve housing 202 can be configured as the lock member having the angled lip 204. In another example, the lock member 118 is a separate component, and in this example, the method 400 can further include brazing the lock member 118 to the valve housing 102. In an example, extending the lip 119, 204 over the seal retaining member 108 can be accomplished via coining or orbit-forming. In one example, with respect to Figure 3, the lock member 304 can be threaded to the valve housing 302 before the lip 308 is coined / orbit-formed.

[0058] The detailed description above describes various features and operations of the disclosed systems with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrative implementations described herein are not meant to be limiting. Certain aspects of the disclosed systems can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0059] Further, unless context suggests otherwise, the features illustrated in each of the figures may be used in combination with one another. Thus, the figures should be generally viewed as component aspects of one or more overall implementations, with the understanding that not all illustrated features are necessary for each implementation.

[0060] Additionally, any enumeration of elements, blocks, or steps in this specification or the claims is for purposes of clarity. Thus, such enumeration should not be interpreted to require orimply that these elements, blocks, or steps adhere to a particular arrangement or are carried out in a particular order.

[0061] Further, devices or systems may be used or configured to perform actuators presented in the figures. In some instances, components of the devices and / or systems may be configured to perform the actuators such that the components are actually configured and structured (with hardware and / or software) to enable such performance. In other examples, components of the devices and / or systems may be arranged to be adapted to, capable of, or suited for performing the actuators, such as when operated in a specific manner.

[0062] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those with skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0063] The arrangements described herein are for purposes of example only. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements and other elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, operations, orders, and groupings of operations, etc.) can be used instead, and some elements may be omitted altogether according to the desired results. Further, many of the elements that are described are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location.

[0064] While various aspects and implementations have been disclosed herein, other aspects and implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and implementations disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0065] Embodiments of the present disclosure can thus relate to one of the enumerated example embodiments (EEEs) listed below.

[0066] EEE 1 is a valve comprising: a seal retaining member; a valve housing interfacing with the seal retaining member; a seal interposed between the valve housing and the seal retaining member; and a lock member having a lip that extends over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

[0067] EEE 2 is the valve of EEE 1, wherein the valve housing is configured as the lock member having the lip.

[0068] EEE 3 is the valve of EEE 1, wherein the lock member is a separate component that is brazed to the valve housing.

[0069] EEE 4 is the valve of any of EEEs 1-3, wherein the lip is an angled lip.

[0070] EEE 5 is the valve of any of EEEs 1-4, wherein the lip is bent over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

[0071] EEE 6 is the valve of any of EEEs 1-5, further comprising: a solenoid actuator having (i) a solenoid coil, and (ii) a tube assembly including a tube and the seal retaining member; an armature that is linearly movable within the tube; a piston; a stem coupled to the armature; and a stem seat member having a channel, wherein when the solenoid coil is un-energized, the stem is seated at the stem seat member, blocking the channel, and the piston blocks fluid flow through the valve, and wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, the stem moves off the stem seat member, causing the piston to follow the stem and allow refrigerant flow through the valve.

[0072] EEE 7 is the valve of EEE 6, wherein the seal retaining member is ring-shaped and surrounds the armature.

[0073] EEE 8 is the valve of any of EEEs 1-7, wherein the lock member is threaded to the valve housing, and then the lip is bent over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

[0074] EEE 9 is a refrigeration system comprising: a source of refrigerant; a first fluid line coupled to the source of refrigerant; a second fluid line; and the valve of any of EEEs 1-8 disposed, and configured to control refrigerant flow, between the first fluid line and the second fluid line. For example, the valve comprises: a seal retaining member, a valve housing interfacing with the seal retaining member, wherein the valve housing defines a first port that is fluidly coupled to the first fluid line and a second port that is fluidly coupled to the second fluid line, a seal interposed between the valve housing and the seal retaining member, and a lock member having a lip that extends over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

[0075] EEE 10 is the refrigeration system of EEE 9, wherein the valve housing is configured as the lock member having the lip.

[0076] EEE 11 is the refrigeration system of EEE 9, wherein the lock member is a separate component that is brazed to the valve housing.

[0077] EEE 12 is the refrigeration system of any of EEEs 9-11, wherein the lip is an angled lip.

[0078] EEE 13 is the refrigeration system of any of EEEs 9-12, wherein the lip is bent over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

[0079] EEE 14 is the refrigeration system of any of EEEs 9-13, wherein the valve further comprises: a solenoid actuator having (i) a solenoid coil, and (ii) a tube assembly including a tube and the seal retaining member; an armature that is linearly movable within the tube; a piston; astem coupled to the armature; and a stem seat member having a channel, wherein when the solenoid coil is un-energized, the stem is seated at the stem seat member, blocking the channel, and the piston blocks fluid flow through the valve, and wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, the stem moves off the stem seat member, causing the piston to follow the stem and allow refrigerant flow through the valve.

[0080] EEE 15 is the refrigeration system of EEE 14, wherein the seal retaining member is ringshaped and surrounds the armature.

[0081] EEE 16 is the refrigeration system of any of EEEs 9-15, wherein the seal is a face seal.

[0082] EEE 17 is a method of assembling the valve of any of EEEs 1-8. For example, the method comprises: mounting a seal retaining member of a valve to a valve housing of the valve; mounting a seal between the valve housing and the seal retaining member; providing a lock member having a lip around the seal retaining member; and extending the lip over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

[0083] EEE 18 is the method of EEE 17, wherein the valve housing is configured as the lock member having the lip.

[0084] EEE 19 is the method of EEE 17, wherein the lock member is a separate component, and wherein the method further comprises: brazing the lock member to the valve housing.

[0085] EEE 20 is the method of any of EEEs 17-19, wherein extending the lip over the seal retaining member comprises: bending the lip over the seal retaining member via coining or orbitforming.

[0086] EEE 21 is the method of any of EEEs 17-20, further comprising: threading the lock member to the valve housing, and then and bending the lip over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

[0087] EEE 22 is the valve of any of EEEs 1-8, wherein the seal is a face seal.

[0088] EEE 23 is the valve of any of EEEs 1-8, the refrigeration system of EEEs 9-16, or the method of EEEs 17-20, wherein the lip extends over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing without threads.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A valve comprising: a seal retaining member; a valve housing interfacing with the seal retaining member; a seal interposed between the valve housing and the seal retaining member; and a lock member having a lip that extends over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve housing is configured as the lock member having the lip.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the lock member is a separate component that is brazed to the valve housing.

4. The valve of claim 1, wherein the lip is an angled lip.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the lip is bent over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

6. The valve of claim 1, further comprising: a solenoid actuator having (i) a solenoid coil, and (ii) a tube assembly including a tube and the seal retaining member;an armature that is linearly movable within the tube; a piston; a stem coupled to the armature; and a stem seat member having a channel, wherein when the solenoid coil is un-energized, the stem is seated at the stem seat member, blocking the channel, and the piston blocks fluid flow through the valve, and wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, the stem moves off the stem seat member, causing the piston to follow the stem and allow refrigerant flow through the valve.

7. The valve of claim 6, wherein the seal retaining member is ring-shaped and surrounds the armature.

8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the lock member is threaded to the valve housing, and then the lip is bent over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

9. A refrigeration system comprising: a source of refrigerant; a first fluid line coupled to the source of refrigerant; a second fluid line; and a valve disposed, and configured to control refrigerant flow, between the first fluid line and the second fluid line, wherein the valve comprises: a seal retaining member,a valve housing interfacing with the seal retaining member, wherein the valve housing defines a first port that is fluidly coupled to the first fluid line and a second port that is fluidly coupled to the second fluid line, a seal interposed between the valve housing and the seal retaining member, and a lock member having a lip that extends over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

10. The refrigeration system of claim 9, wherein the valve housing is configured as the lock member having the lip.

11. The refrigeration system of claim 9, wherein the lock member is a separate component that is brazed to the valve housing.

12. The refrigeration system of claim 9, wherein the lip is an angled lip.

13. The refrigeration system of claim 9, wherein the lip is bent over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

14. The refrigeration system of claim 9, wherein the valve further comprises: a solenoid actuator having (i) a solenoid coil, and (ii) a tube assembly including a tube and the seal retaining member; an armature that is linearly movable within the tube; a piston;a stem coupled to the armature; and a stem seat member having a channel, wherein when the solenoid coil is un-energized, the stem is seated at the stem seat member, blocking the channel, and the piston blocks fluid flow through the valve, and wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, the stem moves off the stem seat member, causing the piston to follow the stem and allow refrigerant flow through the valve.

15. The refrigeration system of claim 14, wherein the seal retaining member is ringshaped and surrounds the armature.

16. The refrigeration system of claim 9, wherein the seal is a face seal.

17. A method comprising: mounting a seal retaining member of a valve to a valve housing of the valve; mounting a seal between the valve housing and the seal retaining member; providing a lock member having a lip around the seal retaining member; and extending the lip over the seal retaining member to retain the seal retaining member to the valve housing.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the valve housing is configured as the lock member having the lip.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the lock member is a separate component, and wherein the method further comprises:brazing the lock member to the valve housing.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein extending the lip over the seal retaining member comprises: bending the lip over the seal retaining member via coining or orbit-forming.

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